Rich Hughes has been widely praised for his work at Portsmouth. Credit: Portsmouth YouTube

Portsmouth complete one new signing, another set to follow him

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

Published on:

22 Jan 2025, 9:31 am

Portsmouth have confirmed the signing of Thomas Waddingham at Fratton Park, with Hayden Matthews soon set to follow.

Pompey unveiled Waddingham on their official website (22 January) as the teenage striker signs from Brisbane Roar, where he was a regular in the A-League but will be a "development" player at Fratton Park.

Centre-half Matthews, who was linked with a Fratton switch from Sydney FC in the summer (The News, 28 August), is reportedly close to following his Australian compatriot through the door (BBC Radio Solent, 20 January), as the Blues strengthen their Socceroos link.

Once the Matthews deal goes through as anticipated, Pompey will have secured four additions in the winter transfer window.

Portsmouth solidify Australian link with signings

Portsmouth are revitalising the link Down Under that the club had established in the 1990s, when the likes of John Aloisi, Craig Foster and Paul Harries in the squad.

Numerous Aussies have adorned the blue and white since, notably Hayden Foxe, who was part of the famous Harry Redknapp-inspired First Division champions side in 2003.

Ryan Williams made 91 senior appearances at Fratton Park, then there was Alex Robertson and briefly Sammy Silvera, and to this day Kusini Yengi and Jacob Farrell will see their Australian contingent doubled.

Pompey are clearly looking for players who can come straight into the Championship survival battle and also those who can be nurtured and developed.

Matthews, 20, and 19-year-old Waddingham will need time to acclimatise to the UK, to English football and fan culture, and eventually they can hopefully make huge strides as Blues players.

In other Portsmouth news, Andy Moon shares West Ham's stance on Freddie Potts' loan at Pompey.

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Hayden Matthews

Thomas Waddingham